Commission backs saving an old school

Posted: Wednesday, April 04, 2007

The Athens-Clarke Commission took action Tuesday night against plans to tear down a nonprofit's Oconee Street building and replace it with townhouses.

The commission voted 8-2 against letting the financially struggling ACTION Inc. sell its 1.7 acres and 100-year-old former schoolhouse to a developer with plans for 17 townhouses. Commissioners George Maxwell and Harry Sims voted to approve the plans.

The commission technically denied permission to build the development without the retail or office component required by county zoning laws. But debate veered into such topics as ACTION's approximately $1 million debt racked up by past mismanagement, whether a developer could be found who would save and renovate the building, and the success rate of mixed-use development.

Commissioner Elton Dodson lashed out at some critics who said opposition to the development plans shows favoritism for old buildings over the poor residents ACTION serves.

"The preservation of our building is not the central issue here," Dodson said. "The preservation of our land-use plan is the central issue here.

"Those who would use this as a wedge issue to imply that we do not support ACTION are out of line. Never has Athens had a commission so committed to fighting poverty and empowering the powerless as this commission sitting here tonight."

More than a dozen ACTION board members and employees, historic preservation activists and residents advocated both sides before the vote.

The commission faced a similar decision for the Boys & Girls Club, which also asked for permission to sell its 14 acres next to ACTION for 94 townhouses and condominiums. The club is raising money to move to Fourth Street. The commission did not vote on that proposal by press time Tuesday.

In other business, the commission approved:

Preliminary construction plans for three new sewer plants that will replace older plants at a cost of about $180 million. The plants originally were approved in 2002. Construction is scheduled to begin next year.

Funding for about two dozen Athens nonprofits and government agencies that will receive shares of about $1.9 million in federal block grants.

Accepting a $192,000 anti-terrorism grant from the state Emergency Management Agency.

Spending $177,000 out of the Clarke County Sheriff's Office's inmate trust fund to alleviate overcrowding in the Clarke County Jail by housing inmates in other county jails.

A plan to use about $2.5 million in sales tax revenue to revitalize Rocksprings Park.

A contract to The Jaeger Co. to restore the Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery in East Athens.